Santa Cruz is the leading mining province in the country. It was the top exporter of minerals in 2022 and has the most mining projects within its territory.

In 2022, the province exported minerals worth USD 1.72 billion, representing 44% of the national total. These exports mainly consisted of gold and silver.

By the fourth quarter of 2022, the number of registered employees in the mining sector reached 6,528, accounting for 10% of all registered employment in the province. Approximately 5,000 of these workers were involved in metal mining, while 1,500 were engaged in other types of mineral extraction.

Non-Metallic and Metallic Mining Main Products: Gold and silver

Currently, gold and silver are extracted together at five mines: Cerro Negro, Cerro Vanguardia, San José, Manantial Espejo, and Lomada de Leiva (transitioning with the start of Cap Oeste).

The mineralization of gold and silver occurred primarily along existing fractures in the rocks, where both elements, associated with quartz, are found in vein formations.

Exports of precious stones, metals, and related products made up 70% of the province’s total exports in 2022, making it the most significant external trade category for Santa Cruz.

Non-Metallic Mining

Products: Coal, clay, gravel, among others

In addition to metal production, Santa Cruz has a robust non-metallic mining sector. It includes First Category minerals such as coal, Second Category minerals like clay, kaolin, and harvested salts, and Third Category minerals such as gravel, sand, pebbles, and ornamental rocks.

The coal deposit, located in the southwest of the province, is known as the Río Turbio Coal Basin.